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Pen and Paper Roleplaying Games (RPGs) Discussion / Backporting 3.5 classes into OD&D
« on: December 23, 2017, 06:30:42 AM »
I was inspired by the Pyrologist character class for OD&D (starts on page 3, though not all of it is readable) and did some number-crunching. It's surprisingly easy to backport character classes from 3.5 to OD&D. BAB/1.5 becomes the to-hit bonus, roll the hit dice down by one level to a minimum of d4, and only keep special abilities if they're thematic enough and the character gains them at first level. So Cleave, Turn Undead, and Backstab/Sneak Attack for the Fighter, Cleric, and Thief/Rogue, respectively.
In the end I decided to convert 3 additional classes, which I may or may not let my players use: the Dread Necromancer, the Beguiler, and the Warlord. I like the spell selection, though all three are spontaneous casters and I'm not sure if I'll keep that element or make them traditional spellcasters. If I do let the players take those classes, it will only be after they've encountered an NPC of that class. Much more fun to hit them with an Orb of Acid when they have no idea something like that is possible.
At the very least, it'll be a good source of new spells for any spellcasters in the party (assuming they can get their hands on the spellbook).
I'm also thinking of creating a sort of hedge mage who can only cast spells from a specific domain, one spell from each level. "Watch out for those holly berries! They explode!" "Riiiight..." *BOOM!*
In the end I decided to convert 3 additional classes, which I may or may not let my players use: the Dread Necromancer, the Beguiler, and the Warlord. I like the spell selection, though all three are spontaneous casters and I'm not sure if I'll keep that element or make them traditional spellcasters. If I do let the players take those classes, it will only be after they've encountered an NPC of that class. Much more fun to hit them with an Orb of Acid when they have no idea something like that is possible.

At the very least, it'll be a good source of new spells for any spellcasters in the party (assuming they can get their hands on the spellbook).
I'm also thinking of creating a sort of hedge mage who can only cast spells from a specific domain, one spell from each level. "Watch out for those holly berries! They explode!" "Riiiight..." *BOOM!*